SINGSONG'S WAR

After T.S Eliot
Author of:
Old Possum's Book
Of Practical Cats

Singsong was a lazy cat who loved to lie about
A young and sleek and vital cat whose voice you could not doubt
For like his cousin, Asparagus, his dream was to perform
To sing with his friends for Catfolk, in a club near Tottingham

He was asked to do a solo at a gig in the No Man's Land
But instead he took his group on tour with dates at The Friend At Hand
His group was named the "Pawprints" where Singsong sang the lead
Accompanied by four others, whose music met his need

A set of twins played for him; Riffraff and Ratatat.
Riffraff played a mean guitar and was a jammer cat
Ratatat resigned himself to bang upon the skins
His rhythms gave support to the music they would sing

On keyboards, a cat named Scales, seemed to enjoy the groove
His flashy tricks and unique stylings made the music move
And last but not least, one name I failed to tell 
The cat who had the greatest voice, the one named Grizabella

Grizabella had asked Singsong to be one of his troupe
For she had wanted to sing again and join up with a group
Singsong agreed, of course, because it was found out
That he still had a love for her and his flame was not put out

Now Ratatat had also had a thing for Grizabella
His sister, Riffraff, also had a thing for that Singsong fellow
The two decided to get the pair that broke their faithful hearts
So they hired a band of Pollicle dogs; the masters of fighting arts

Mistoffolees, a crafty cat, had overheard their plan
And ran to find the Rumpuscat with Skimbleshanks at hand
They tried to coax Macavity to give aid to their cause
But the mystery cat just sat there while cleaning off his paws

The Rum Tum Tugger, Tumblebrutus, and Coricopat
Decided to join the growing group when they heard of the attack
Mungojerrie, with Rumpelteaser, was glad to lend his hand
With Carbuckety and Pouncival to finish off the band

Sillabub was asked to watch the crafty pair
While the band took on the thugs who would not fight fair
Sillabub was worried, for her sister Grizabella
Griddlebone stood by her and comforted her through hell

The band met up with the Pollicles, with Skimble in the lead
The Pollicle leader, Dustinwag, made known his wartime creed
The fight began with vigor and both of the groups attacked
The cats were gaining the upper hand when screams were heard in back

Dustinwag had managed to sneak away from the war
And got his dirty paws on Grizabella who screamed once more
Singsong heard the screaming and began to bear his claws
He viciously tore at Dustinwag who showed his fighting flaws

Dustinwag fell dead among cheers from all the cats
The Pollicles laid down their knives and all their baseball bats
But Singsong could not join the crowd in their happiness
For Grizabella lay on the ground, her face a bloody mess

When Singsong saw her fallen form, he made a solemn vow
To rid the world of the cats whose treachery laid her low
Mistoffolees said Riffraff and Ratatat were to blame
And off when Singsong through the night; their lives he wished to claim

Ratatat heard him coming and took off like a shot
Riffraff wasn't far behind; but eventually both were caught
Singsong caught up with them and hung by their tails
Then he knocked their heads together amid their cries and wails

Singsong was enraged at the cats whom he just mauled
They both looked up to him and slowly, softly bawled
In their faces they were sorry for the crimes they had done
But mercy was not given for Singsong's war was not yet won

He pounced upon Ratatat and began to claw his face
He punched and punched at his head till the blood began to race
With the fury of Growltiger, Singsong kicked some more
And turned to look at Riffraff who leaned up against the door

He started to approach her with vengeance in his heart
When Grizabella staggered in and tore Riffraff apart
She flailed away in fury while on Riffraff's tail she sat
She got the exact same beating as received by Ratatat

Grizabella and Singsong collapsed upon the floor
For they were badly injured after getting through the war
The blood they each had shed, through the fights, began to mix
They sealed their bond together with a long embrace and kiss

When Sillabub had found them, she screamed and began to cry
For the two that sat before her were half-dead, about to die
They're arms were intertwined as they lay there paw in paw
The victorious cats surrounded them in quiet reverence and awe 

Don't feel bad for Singsong or the lovely Grizabella
They're with Riffraff and Ratatat up in the Heavyside Layer
They'll all be back some day, as well as others too,
For they are all Jellicle cats, and they know what Jellicles do